Fire Prevention

The Concord Township Fire Prevention Bureau works hard to safeguard the community from fire and environmental hazards through a variety of activities and programs which focus on adherence to fire code regulations and hazard mitigation.

Our goal is to not only meet the minimum requirements as established by the Ohio Revised Code, Ohio Fire Code, National Fire Protection Association and Concord Township Resolutions, but also to exceed those provisions through our continued efforts of self-improvement and commitment to public safety.

Inspections

Through inspections of commercial and public buildings, we ensure compliance with applicable fire and life safety codes. There are an estimated 400 public and commercial occupancies presently in the Township. Our target is to inspect every occupancy at least once a year and educational occupancies multiple times during the year. Performance testing on all existing fire alarm/protection systems must be witnessed by Concord’s Fire Inspector. To schedule, please call (440) 350-1856.

Upon request, we will inspect residential homes for adoption and foster care regulatory compliance, for example.

Construction Planning

Along with Concord Zoning Department and the Lake County Building Department, we review new construction plans and remodeling of commercial and public buildings. Our inspectors provide guidance to builders on fire code adherence throughout the construction planning review process.

Concord Township does not charge a fee for plan reviews. Please submit 1 copy of the following plans to Deputy Fire Chief at Fire Station #1, 11600 Concord-Hambden Rd. As each building is unique, additional plans may be required. A 2-3 week time frame is needed for plan reviews to be completed; fire department comments will be sent directly to the Lake County Building Department and as requested by submitter.

Before you fire up your outdoor grill again, please think safety first…safety for yourself, your family, your neighbors and your home! Safety first begins by being aware of regulations within your residential community. The following fire codes apply to multiple-family dwellings:

The 2011 Ohio Fire Code Rule 3 Section 308.14 specifies that charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices shall not be operated on combustible balconies or within ten (10) feet of combustible construction. This would include propane or LPG grills.
Exceptions:

One and Two family dwellings

Where buildings, balconies and decks are protected by an automatic sprinkler system.

Where approved by the fire code official, charcoal burners are allowed to be operated on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction where all of the flowing conditions are met: 3.1 The charcoal burners are attended by an adult at all times when in operation. 3.2 Portable fire extinguishers in the type, quantity and size as approved by the fire code official are present on the combustible balconies or at the cooking site located within 10 feet of the combustible construction. 3.3 All nonstructural combustible material must be removed from the combustible balconies or at the cooking site located within 10 feet of combustible construction.

LP-gas cooking devices having an LP gas container with a water capacity not greater than 2 ½ pounds.

The 2011 Ohio Fire Code Rule 38 Section 3809.10.2 specifies that the storage of gas cylinders within residential buildings, including the basement or any storage area in a common basement storage area in multiple-family buildings and attached garages is prohibited. Gas cylinders are to be stored a minimum of ten (10) feet from all multiple family dwellings.

If you have any questions and/or comments or if you want someone to speak at your homeowners’ association meeting, please do not hesitate in contacting the Fire Prevention Bureau at (440) 354.7504.

Concord Township’s water is supplied by either Aqua Ohio Water 877.987.2782. Lake County Department of Utilities (440) 350.2070 or Painesville City Water (440) 392.2975. You may contact your respective water company directly to report leaks or contact the fire department. Fire hydrants are owned and maintained by the water companies. The fire department checks the hydrants yearly and sends identified repair requests to the respective water company.

Concord Township follows the Ohio Revised Code rules regarding open burning. NO OPEN BURNING is permitted in Concord Township. RECREATIONAL FIRES such as cooking and camp fires are permitted as long as they are in an approved container or cleared area. Recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material. Conditions which could cause fire spread such as leaves and dry or dead vegetation shall be eliminated prior to ignition. The size of any recreational fire shall not exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height. All recreational fires shall be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished. A minimum of one portable fire extinguisher with a minimum 4-A rating or other approved on-site fire-extinguishing equipment, such as dirt, sand, water barrel or garden hose shall be available for immediate utilization. Any open burning or recreational fire that is offensive or objectionable because of smoke or order emissions or when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous is prohibited. The Concord Township Fire Department is authorized to order the extinguishment by the property owner, another person responsible or the fire department of open burning that creates or adds to a hazardous or objectionable situation, per Ohio Fire Code 307.3.

EMS records are protected under HIPPA and may be released only to a patient or to a party designated by the patient, with patient consent. Concord Township utilizes the services of ChartSwap, an on-line records exchange service and Emergency Management and Consultants, our billing company, to handle medical records requests. Please visit www.chartswap.com to initiate a records request.

Some intersections in Concord Township are equipped with traffic pre-emption devices. As an emergency vehicle approaches an intersection, it activates the pre-emption equipment that controls the traffic signal to safety direct the traffic flow while also allowing emergency vehicles to safely progress through the area. The white light that you see is a confirmation that the pre-emption device has been activated. When approaching an intersection, always follow the direction of the traffic signals. When you hear an emergency vehicle approaching remember to “GO RIGHT for Sirens and Lights”

The emergency sirens are tested at 11:00 AM on the second Wednesday in January, April, July and October.

Concord Township officials do not activate the outdoor Emergency Sirens located throughout Lake County. The outdoor sirens are activated by the Lake County Emergency Management Agency to alert residents of possible natural or man-made disasters and national security issues. When you hear the Emergency Siren: Go indoors, close all doors and windows; Tune to local emergency information stations and follow broadcast information; DO NOT CALL 911 – Such calls could hinder response activities; Stay tuned to your radio or TV for further information.

When the fire department is dispatched, the fire station closest to you who has available staffing will respond. Simply put, for our response planning we’ve divided Concord Township into quadrants, utilizing Interstate 90 and State Route 44 as dividing lines. Station 2, located at 10154 Prouty Road, responds to the areas that are located west of State Route 44, and areas north of State Route 84 that are east of State Route 44. Station 1, located at 11600 Concord-Hambden Road responds to the commercial areas along Auburn Road (west of State Route 44) and all other areas west of State Route 44.

Concord Twp Fire Department utilizes the dispatching service of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. When you dial 9-1-1, your call will be answered by a trained professional dispatcher from Lake County Central Dispatch center, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Dialing 9-1-1 is the fastest, most effective way to have us respond to your needs. Depending on your needs, the 9-1-1 dispatch center may send a Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy along with fire/ems personnel.

Station #1: (440) 354.7508; Station #2: (440) 354.7509. Concord Township’s fire stations are manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, when the firefighters are out of the station for incidents, trainings or other events, the station phone lines may go unanswered. Unanswered calls to Station #1 will roll into a voicemail system which is reviewed Monday-Friday during normal business hours. If you are unsure if your needs are an emergency or not, please be safe and call 9-1-1. The trained dispatchers who answer your 9-1-1 call will assist you in obtaining the level of help you need.